Best Elise/Exige to "invest" in?
Discussion
Composite Guru said:
That's a lot of money for an Exige S. The 240's normally go for that money.
After deciding I didn't want to pay £32k for a 10 year old car I bought a 2016 Elise 220 Cup for £37k. I haven't looked back since buying it.
But unless I'm missing something, that's a 260 Cup?After deciding I didn't want to pay £32k for a 10 year old car I bought a 2016 Elise 220 Cup for £37k. I haven't looked back since buying it.
5er said:
Composite Guru said:
That's a lot of money for an Exige S. The 240's normally go for that money.
After deciding I didn't want to pay £32k for a 10 year old car I bought a 2016 Elise 220 Cup for £37k. I haven't looked back since buying it.
But unless I'm missing something, that's a 260 Cup?After deciding I didn't want to pay £32k for a 10 year old car I bought a 2016 Elise 220 Cup for £37k. I haven't looked back since buying it.
Shame that the next owner will probably never drive it. Waste of a car really.
Edited by Composite Guru on Monday 3rd September 15:29
fridaypassion said:
You'll never fond a lotus with low miles and a full service book. I have 2 sub 10k Exiges in one has 7 stamps the other 3 they are both very clean cars and will sell. Ove had low mileage cars with 1/2 stamps before. Never an issue.
Cheers. Just realised it was probably you I met today at Jon Seal! Thanks again for the chat if that was indeed your good self 
I am in a similar situation. I've had loads of hot hatches over the years and always seem to get stitched up come sale time. I lavish my cars with love and they're always kept in immacualte condition, but I can honestly say that I have pretty much lost money on every single car i've sold over the years. I've never been able to afford a 993 Porsche or E30 M3 or Lancia Deta Integrale so buying a rare investment piece was never really a possibilty for me at that time.
I think a lot of people forget that they actually spend money maintaining their cars during ownership, and the misty eyed memories cloud their judgement of reality. I believe it's rare to buy a car and use it for a few years and actually make money when youcome to sell it. The advice above relating to buying a car for pleasure is solid, if you want to buy an investment you need to buy something very rare and not really use it. Keep it for years and hope the market conditions are such that you can sell it for a profit. That is if the country doesn't go bankrupt following brexit, who knows what the future holds! Any asset is only worth what somebody else is willing to pay for it.
I looked at S2 Exiges and decided they were too expensive for what they were, given the age and mileage. I looked at the green one overleaf, and whilst it was in lovely cosmetic condition it didn't feel any more special than my Trophy R to drive, in fact the R felt better. It's only 3 years old with 10k miles, whereas the Exige is circa 8 years with 60k on the clock. This translates to a dumbing down of feeling as parts become worn with age and wear and tear becomes apparent. I am no stranger to the foibles of these cars and want something hardcore with feel and character, but 30-40K is a lot of money for a toy so you start to think with your head more than the heart (or at least this is true in my case). As a consequence i've been looking at newer Elise's / or cheapish S3 Exiges instead, which to me represent better value for money. They are much newer and much faster which in my mind equates to more driving pleasure. However if the intention is for it to be a garage queen then I suppose these factors will not be important.
I think a lot of people forget that they actually spend money maintaining their cars during ownership, and the misty eyed memories cloud their judgement of reality. I believe it's rare to buy a car and use it for a few years and actually make money when youcome to sell it. The advice above relating to buying a car for pleasure is solid, if you want to buy an investment you need to buy something very rare and not really use it. Keep it for years and hope the market conditions are such that you can sell it for a profit. That is if the country doesn't go bankrupt following brexit, who knows what the future holds! Any asset is only worth what somebody else is willing to pay for it.
I looked at S2 Exiges and decided they were too expensive for what they were, given the age and mileage. I looked at the green one overleaf, and whilst it was in lovely cosmetic condition it didn't feel any more special than my Trophy R to drive, in fact the R felt better. It's only 3 years old with 10k miles, whereas the Exige is circa 8 years with 60k on the clock. This translates to a dumbing down of feeling as parts become worn with age and wear and tear becomes apparent. I am no stranger to the foibles of these cars and want something hardcore with feel and character, but 30-40K is a lot of money for a toy so you start to think with your head more than the heart (or at least this is true in my case). As a consequence i've been looking at newer Elise's / or cheapish S3 Exiges instead, which to me represent better value for money. They are much newer and much faster which in my mind equates to more driving pleasure. However if the intention is for it to be a garage queen then I suppose these factors will not be important.
Edited by Track_Cit on Friday 28th September 15:42
I think I used the word "investment" incorrectly. I don't I intend to buy a car and not use it and hope it goes up in value. I'm actually starting to think along the same lines as you, in that I think I'm going off the SC S2 idea somewhat. The difference with me is that I'm considering keeping what I've got (mk3 MX5) and supercharging it. I've driven Corten Miller's 300bhp demo and it's bloody brilliant.
Yep, I've lost money left, right and centre on previous cars, but I think if I properly sorted my Mazda (I'm kinda half way there already) then I'd be more than happy with what I've got and it could be a long term keeper. I've already had it a year, which is quite a long time for me. I do love it, it just needs more grunt. Plus, I do like provoking the rear end of my MX5, and whilst I've read that it's possible to slide about in a Elise/Exige, I'm not sure I'm talented enough for all that.
I say all this as I'm currently in the PH Classifieds' Lotus section
Yep, I've lost money left, right and centre on previous cars, but I think if I properly sorted my Mazda (I'm kinda half way there already) then I'd be more than happy with what I've got and it could be a long term keeper. I've already had it a year, which is quite a long time for me. I do love it, it just needs more grunt. Plus, I do like provoking the rear end of my MX5, and whilst I've read that it's possible to slide about in a Elise/Exige, I'm not sure I'm talented enough for all that.
I say all this as I'm currently in the PH Classifieds' Lotus section
The Elise 111S is an interesting one as it's probably the last of the completely analogue sports cars, even wind-up windows on the early ones. No ABS, un-servoed brakes along with the usual direct steering, gearing and throttling.
A bit more power as standard than the base models too.
A bit more power as standard than the base models too.
Quite honestly the best investment you can make, in a Lotus, is to buy an S1 Elise for up to £15k and then invest in smiles & memories. I have had 2 S1's. 1 I bought 2 years ago a DVA 160 for £11,500 with 36k miles. It was great. I drove it for a year, spent over £3,000 on repairs and sold it for £15,750. So made a little bit however that car probably £16-18k now. I think the 160 sports are great but at £25k+ they are a little top heavy. I always look back in history for markers. A top Elan is £30k and a sprint £40k. I assume a 160 will settle at the same level as a sprint so that's £15k growth in 25 years time, minus the £2k you will spend every year. So your financial investment would have lost you £35k.
I would buy as nice an S1 as you can, enjoy it and if you are really lucky any appreciation will equal your maintenance costs. Of course you could buy a 160 and not drive it but what the point!
I have now bought an Exige 350 sport. £50k 6 months old. It should be worth £35k in 5 years. £3k pa is a bargain for the enjoyment I will get from the car. The days of making money of cars, in the current climate are over just buy to enjoy and hope you can minimise any losses.
I would buy as nice an S1 as you can, enjoy it and if you are really lucky any appreciation will equal your maintenance costs. Of course you could buy a 160 and not drive it but what the point!
I have now bought an Exige 350 sport. £50k 6 months old. It should be worth £35k in 5 years. £3k pa is a bargain for the enjoyment I will get from the car. The days of making money of cars, in the current climate are over just buy to enjoy and hope you can minimise any losses.
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